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With the talk of the football world Thursday centering on the concussion settlement and the effects of repeated hits to the head on cognitive abilities, it’s worth noting that one prominent NFL name believes his brain is in better shape than ever. Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told the Dallas Morning News that at age 70, he’s sharper than ever.

“I’ve been told that I have, by CAT Scans, that it’s like the brain of a 40-year-old,” Jones said. “I know more about what I’m doing than hopefully I did 25 years ago.”

On Thursday, Christopher Seeger, a lawyer for the players in the concussion lawsuit, referred to Jones as a “hardass” negotiator.

It’s wonderful that Jones feels he’s totally with it at 70, but let us take a closer look at the second part of that statement. From 1988 — when Jones bought and took over the Cowboys — to 1998, the team averaged almost 10 wins a season and won three Super Bowls. Since then, they’ve averaged eight a year and gone 1-5 in the playoffs. True, he hasn’t had Jimmy Johnson for 19 years. He also wouldn’t have had that padded resume without Johnson, either.

MARSHALL SAYS HE’LL PLAY

Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall says he will play in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. This, via Twitter, after Chicagoland football fans worked themselves into a lather after Bears coach Marc Trestman on Wednesday excused Marshall for four days due to “personal reasons.” Marshall is coming off hip surgery and has something of a history of flaky behaviour. The ongoing concern, though, is the hip, given that Marshall himself said on Wednesday that, “other than the hip,” he’s doing fine. No word from anyone on the personal issue. Forget the concerns of Bears fans and CFL transplant coach Trestman, however. The man who needs Marshall the most is quarterback Jay Cutler — and his fantasy owners.

ASOMUGHA ON COMEBACK TRAIL

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, cut by the Philadelphia Eagles in the off-season just two years after signing a five-year, $60-million contract, appears to have landed on his feet with the San Francisco 49ers. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Asomugha has earned the No. 3 corner spot with the team.

While it’s a step down for a guy who was considered one of the best cover guys in the NFL just a few years ago, many had written him off completely. Even Niners defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio wasn’t exactly optimistic, telling reporters recently “the jury is still out” on Asomugha.

But the 32-year-old has allowed just one reception for five years in 39 snaps during the pre-season, securing a spot with the Niners’ secondary behind starters Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown.

ROOKIES ON SHELF?

The Lions haven’t said whether rookie defensive end Ezekiel Ansah suffered a concussion or not, but speculation abounds in Detroit media circles as the No. 5 selection in April’s draft has missed three straight practices, as well as the team’s annual kickoff luncheon Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the man picked behind Ansah, Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo, is unlikely to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Miami Dolphins. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the No. 6 pick will be kept out due to a bruised lung. Mingo spat up blood and experienced shortness of breath during a pre-season game two weeks ago against the Lions, and later said he believed the injury occurred on the game’s opening kickoff.

The LSU product subsequently spent two nights in hospital.

HERNANDEZ WILL BEAT RAP?

According to one of the Rolling Stone writers who penned a comprehensive look into the life of Aaron Hernandez, the former All-Pro tight end will beat the murder charge against him and return to playing in the NFL.

“I think (the case) is not only beatable, I think he will be back in the NFL within three or four years,” Paul Solotaroff told CBS Sports Radio Thursday. “I think they’ve grossly overcharged him based on the case they’re building … no direct eyewitness, no murder weapon and no plausible motive.”

Hernandez is facing life in prison if convicted of the first-degree murder charge against him in the June shooting death of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. Prosecutors allege Hernandez was angry with Lloyd for associating with people the former New England Patriot had beefs with.

The Rolling Stone story, which hit the Internet Wednesday and newsstands Friday, paints a disturbing portrait of Hernandez that includes hard drug use, paranoia and associating with gang members. Hernandez was released by the Patriots on June 26, hours after his arrest. He is also still reportedly the focus of a Boston grand jury investigation into a separate 2012 double homicide.

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Cowboys' Jerry Jones: I have brain of '40-year-old'

With the talk of the football world Thursday centering on the concussion settlement and the effects of repeated hits to the head on cognitive abilities, it’s worth noting that one prominent NFL name believes his brain is in better shape than ever. Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told the Dallas Morning News that at age 70, he’s sharper than ever.

“I’ve been told that I have, by CAT Scans, that it’s like the brain of a 40-year-old,” Jones said. “I know more about what I’m doing than hopefully I did 25 years ago.”

On Thursday, Christopher Seeger, a lawyer for the players in the concussion lawsuit, referred to Jones as a “hardass” negotiator.

It’s wonderful that Jones feels he’s totally with it at 70, but let us take a closer look at the second part of that statement. From 1988 — when Jones bought and took over the Cowboys — to 1998, the team averaged almost 10 wins a season and won three Super Bowls.